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A new year inspires polarizing sentiment in most people – some are excited and full of possibility, setting resolutions for themselves, while others are morose and know that any goals made in January will be ghosts by February. The New Year for academics, however, functions differently. Our new year is in the fall, but January does bring a new term. It’s the time to evaluate if you’re on track with the resolutions for research, time management, and teaching set in August/September. For academics, January is a midterm assessment. In my case the start of this term is a chance take a breath.

The end is nigh! The end of summer that is, and I for one cannot be happier even though the start of the school year brings anxiety and stress. Growing up I was always that kid who eagerly anticipated the end of summer right after July 4th. The anarchy of summer and the freedom to do whatever was great – at first. But it got exhausting in the way you feel when you’ve slept-in too late. So the end of summer meant a return to normalcy and regularly scheduled days. The start of school was always a wish come true. It didn’t hurt that fall is also my favorite season.